Mining machine



April 7, 1959 E. D. ABRAHAM Filed March 25. 1954 MINING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZQIF-M finiva fg.

April 7, 1959 E. D. ABRAHAM 2,880,842

MINING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent MINING MACHINE Edward D. Abraham, Columbus, Ohio, assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 25, 1954, Serial No. 418,690

21 Claims. (Cl. 198-10) This invention relates to rotary gathering mechanism, especially to such mechanism used in connection with mineral loading devices, including coal loading machines and continuous miners.

In the mining industry, highly maneuverable machines are almost always desirable but cannot always be provided. Thus, there are mining machines provided with loading mechanism which cannot readily, for one reason or another, be swung laterally as far as might be desired, with the result that mineral which has fallen to the floor is often not picked up unless the loading device approaches the mineral in a head-on direction; in other words, fallen mineral which is a little to one side of the machine center line is quite often not recovered by conventional gathering mechanism.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide gathering mechanism which is capable of loading mineral from the sides thereof as well as such mineral which is directly in front of the forward path of the machine.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide rotary gathering mechanism of the type described which is capable of loading mineral from a wide area. This and other objects are accomplished in mechanism incorporating a gathering arm pvotally mounted on two cranks which are positively rotated by a pair of shafts rotating in opposite directions at varying angular velocities. The drive is preferably effected through a differential, and in its preferred form, includes one-way drive means to prevent reverse rotation of either shaft.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation view of a'portion of a continuous miner, showing the gathering mechanism in position on the machine.

Fig. 2 is a view in section substantially on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in section substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a view in section substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Although this invention is not limited in its application to continuous mining machines, it is here shown as mounted on a continuous miner of the general type disclosed in Patents 2,608,823, Silver et al., and 2,659,586, Leven, both of these patents being assigned to the assignee of this invention. Thus, the front end of a continuous miner of the type referred to is shown generally at 2, and rotary gathering mechanism made according to this invention is indicated generally at 4.

As is better indicated in Fig. 2, the rotary gathering mechanism preferably consists of a pair of similar devices disposed at opposite sides of a chain and flight type of conveyor 6. Conveyor 6 extends forward to a point just behind a small ramp S which extends from a point immediately adjacent the mine bottom upward and rearward to the conveyor 6. A suitably curved and sloped deck 10 is disposed at each side of the conveyor 6 and forms a continuation, in the lateral direction, of the surface provided by the ramp 8.

y.2,880,842 Patented Apr. 7, 1959 ICC satisfactory manner beneath the deck 10, shafts 12 and 14y extending upward through suitable openings in the casing cover and in the deck. Shafts 12 and 14 are mounted for rotation in conventional antifriction bearings 28 and 30. Between the bearings 28 and 30 of shaft 12, a worm gear 32 is secured on shaft 12, as for example by means of the splines 34. In like manner, a Worm gear 36 is secured between bearings 28 and 30 to shaft 14 by means of splines 38. v

In the preferred form of the invention, shafts 12 and 14 are mounted so as to be substantially parallel, cranks 16 and 18, secured to the upper (as seen in Fig. 3) ends of shafts 12 and 14 rotate in substantially the same plane, and the pivot connections 22 and 24 are substantially parallel. Gathering arm 20 preferably includes an articulated link 40, the two parts 20 and 40 being pvotally secured together as shown at 42. The gathering arm 20 is driven by a single motor connected to rotate the shafts, this shaft rotation being at varying angular velocities and, in the embodiment shown, in opposite directions. The drive motor shown at 44 is preferably a conventional hydraulic motor, motors of this type being preferred in this invention because of the small space occupied in proportion to the maximum torque. Hydraulic motor 44 will of course be supplied with hydraulic uid under pressure by any suitable source, the source and the connections not being shown because they are of course entirely conventional.

Motor 44 drives the shafts 12 and 14 through a differential indicated generally at 46. To accomplish the indicated drive, a drive pinion 48 is keyed to motor shaft 50; pinion 48 meshes with the differential ring gear 52 to drive the differential. Ring gear 52 carries differential pinions 54 which mesh with a pair of differential gears 56 and 58, gears 56 and 58 being mounted for rotation about an axis which, in the interests of providing a compact mechanism, preferably lies in a plane passing through the shafts 12 and 14.

An auxiliary shaft 60 is mounted for rotation on one side of the parallel shafts 12 and 14 and is drivingly connected with one of the diiferential gears, this being gear 58 in the embodiment shown. A second auxiliary shaft 62 is mounted for rotation on the other side of the parallel shafts 12 and 14, and is drivingly connected with the other dilferential gear, this being gear 56 in the embodiment shown. lrreversible drive means connect one of the parallel shafts to be driven by the first-named auxiliary shaft, and other irreversible drive means connect the other one of the parallel shafts to be driven by the second auxiliary shaft. Thus, a self-locking worm 64 vis secured on shaft 60 for rotation thereby and meshes with the worm wheel 32; another self-locking worm 66 is secured to auxiliary shaft 62 for rotation thereby and meshes with worm wheel or gear 36.

Auxiliary shafts 60 and 62 are mounted for rotation in conventional antifriction bearings 68 and 70. As indicated above, diferential gear 58 is drivingly connected with auxiliary shaft 60; auxiliary shaft 62 is drivingly connected with differential gear 56, the connecting means including a fifth shaft 72, and a pair of gears 74 and 76. Gear 74 is mounted on and driven by shaft 72, which in turn is keyed to differential gear 56. Shaft 72 is 1nount.

ed for rotation in suitable bearings 78, and passes through differential gear 58. Dierential gear 58 is connected by a short shaft with a gear 82, gear 82 thus being v driven by differential gear 58. vCrear .82 meshes with and drives gear 84 which is keyed to auxiliary shaft 60. Suitable antifriction bearings 86 are provided for the rotation of differential gear 58 and gear 82 on shaft 72. 4Operativa Worm .gears 32 and r-36 are mounted for clockwise and counterclockwise rotation respectively, and are incapable of rotating in the other direction because of the irreversible drive provided by the self-locking worms. As a result, shafts 12 and 14 of the lower 'gathering unit seen in Fig. 2 also rotate clockwise and counterclockwise respectively. Shafts 12 and 14 of the upper unit of the gathering` mechanism as seen in Fig. 2 rotate counterclockwise and clockwise respectively; again, the rotation of thesey shafts is never reversed because of the irreversible drive connections with the differential.

Asthe shafts rotate and drive their respective cranks,

the gathering arm moves through a rather complicated path. Referring to the lower unit as seen in Fig. 2, the point of the articulated link 4'0 closely approximates the path indicated in dotted lines at P. As the articulated link moves forward and inward (toward the ramp 8) it starts at point P1, and in a wide sweeping motion gathers fallen mineral from the side and forward edges of the deck 10 and moves it forward and inward toward the ramp 8, from which point the mineral moves on to the conveyor 6 and is carried to the rear. Continued rotation of the parallel shafts 12 and 14 serves to retract the articulated link 40 from a point indicated approximately at- P2 inward and rearward to a point shown approximately at P3. From P3, articulated link 40 swings through a path which is roughly circular to a point shown at P4, during which time link 40 is substantially out of contact with the mineral on the floor. At P4, link 40 moves outw'ard again to P1, where it is again in a position to engage the fallen mineral, beginning another cycle.

As the two shafts 12 and 14 drive their cranks and the connected gathering arm, there are times in a cycle when one shaft is stationary or nearly so and the other shaft is moving at maximum angular velocity. This is permitted by the drive of these shafts from motor 44 through the differential 46, which automatically supplies the proper torque and speed to the right auxiliary shaft. The driving of either shaft in a reverse direction is effectually prevented by the irreversible drive means, here shown as self-locking worms.

It will be evident from the foregoing that I have here provided an effective gathering mechanism which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and which operates eliciently to gather material from the sides of the machine as well as from the front. Other advantages Will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Rotary gathering mechanism comprising a pair of shafts, a crank on each shaft, a gathering arm having a pivot connection with each crank, means to rotate the shafts at varied angular velocities including a differential having a pair of differential gears, means connecting one differential gear with one of the pair of shafts, means connecting the other differential gear with the other one ofthe pair-v of-shaftsand means to supply power to the differential.

2. Mechanism as in clairny 1, in whicheach connecting means includes an irreversible f drive.

3'. Rotary gathering mechanism comprising a pair of shafts, a crank on each shaft, a gathering arm having a pivot-connection with each crank, and means to rotate the shafts atl-mutually varying angularY velocities.

4. Rotary gathering mechanism comprising a pair of shafts, a crank on each shaft, a gathering arm having a pivot connection with each crank, and a single motor connected to rotate the shafts at mutually varying angular velocities.

5. Rotary gathering mechanism comprising a pair of shafts, a crank on each shaft, a gathering arm having a pivot connection with each crank, and a single motor connected to rotate the shafts at mutually varying angular velocities and in opposite directions.

6. Rotary gathering mechanism comprising a pair of substantially parallel shafts, a crank on each shaft, a gathering arm having a pivot connection with each crank, means to rotate the shafts at varied angular velocities including a. differential having a pair of differential gears, an auxihnry shaft rotatably disposed at one side of the aforesaid parallel shafts and drivingly connected with one of them, a second auxiliary shaft rotatably disposed at the other side of the aforesaid parallel shafts and drivingly connected with the other one of them, means connecting one differential gear with the first-named auxiliary shaft, means connecting the other differential gear with the second auxiliary shaft, and means to supply power to the differential.

7. Rotary gathering mechanism comprising a pair of substantially parallel shafts, a crank on each shaft, a gathering arm having a pivot connection with each crank, means to rotate the shafts at varied angular velocities including a differential having a pair of differential gears, an auxiliary shaft rotatably disposed at one side of the aforesaid parallel shafts and drivingly connected with one of the differential gears, a second auxiliary shaft rotatably disposed at the other side of the aforesaid parallel shafts and drivingly connected with the other one of the differential gears, irreversible drive means connecting one of the parallel shafts to be driven by the first-named auxiliary shaft, other irreversible drive means connecting the other one of the parallel shafts to be driven by the second auxiliary shaft, and means to supply power to the differential.

8. Mechanism as in claim 6, in which the means connecting one differential gear with its auxiliary shaft includes a fth shaft passing through the other differential gear and on which said other differential gear is rotatably mounted.

9. Mechanism as in claim l, in which the means connecting one dierential gear with its associated shaft includes still another shaft passing through the other differential gear and on which said other differential gear rotates.

1G. Mechanism as in claim 9, in which each connecting means includes an irreversible drive.

l1. Rotary gathering mechanism comprising a pair of shafts, a crank on each shaft, a gathering arm having a pivot contraction with each crank, and means to rotate the shafts at inversely varying angular velocities.

12. Rotary gathering mechanism comprising a pair of shafts, a crank on each shaft, a gathering arm having a pivot connection with each crank, and a single motor connected to rotate the shafts at inversely varying angular velocities.

13. Rotary gathering mechanism comprising a pair of shafts, a crank on each shaft, a gathering arm having a pivot connection with each crank, and a single motor connected to rotate the shafts at inversely varying angular velocities and in opposite directions.

14. Rotary gathering mechanismcornprising a pair of shafts, means for rotating said shafts unidirectionally through a series ofrevolutions, a crank on each shaft, a gathering arm supported by said cranks and having a pivotal connection directly with one of said cranks and a pivotal connection directly with the other of said cranks, said means for rotating said shafts including means for turning them at mutually varying angular velocities.

15. Rotary gathering mechanism comprising a of shafts, means for rotating said shafts unidirectionally but oppositely to each other through a series of revolutions, a crank on each shaft, a gathering arm supported by said cranks and having a pivotal connection directly with one of said cranks and a pivotal connection directly with the other of said cranks, said pivotal connections respectively near the center and near one end of said arm and said means for rotating said shafts including means for turning them at inversely varying angular velocities.

16. In a material gathering mechanism, an oscillatory gathering element, and means for actuating said gathering element to move its outer end in an orbital path comprising front and rear cranks movable in relatively 0pposite directions at relatively different speeds and having pivotal movement relative to said gathering element as the latter is oscillated thereby.

17. A gathering mechanism as set forth in claim 16 wherein said cranks move in planes parallel with the planes of movement of said gathering element.

18. A gathering mechanism as set forth in claim 16 wherein said front cranks have a direct pivotal connection with said gathering element.

19. A gathering mechanism as set forth in claim 16 wherein said rear crank has an outer pivot relative to which said gathering element swings as said gathering element is oscillated.

20. A gathering mechanism as set forth in claim 16 wherein said cranks as they oscillate said gathering element to move its outer end in an orbital path also move the rear end of said element in an orbital path of a different size and shape.

21. A gathering mechanism as set forth in claim 16 wherein both cranks have engagement with said gathering element intermediate the front and rear ends of said element.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,599,819 Joy Sept. 14, 1926 1,875,783 Vodoz Sept. 6, 1932 2,639,023 Goodrich May 19, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 312,864 Germany June 19, 1919 

